If you can't land a job right after college, you face the possibility of loan recovery agents knocking your doors. We need more STEM majors with liberal arts training." Economists collect and analyze data surrounding the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Some jobs in the communications field include: English Majors who specialize in English language and literature take courses in history, social science and literary theory and are prepared for jobs as writers, historians or museum curators. A degree in liberal arts and sciences can include a major in literature, philosophy, theater, history, or political science, among others. What can you do with a liberal arts degree? Soft skills are still relevant in the workplace, and students who can demonstrate their creativity in areas such as writing, communication, critical thinking and through collaboration will continue to be attractive to employers. Most students who earn an associate of science degree go on to pursue a B.S. They also keep catalogs of all the artifacts on display and in storage. "It is here that the liberal arts major will excel because of their ability to communicate and story tell.". Instead, liberal arts sharpen your research, writing and critical thinking skills to prepare you for a broad range of careers. Explore Career Opportunities With a Liberal Arts Degree. In fact, there’s no set direction; you have freedom to choose. You Can Do Anything: The Surprising Power of a "Useless" Liberal Arts Education. They are employed by law firms, governments, and private and public institutions. Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO and potential 2020 presidential candidate, earned a degree in communications. A liberal arts degree can prepare you to work in a variety of fields, such as education, journalism, and law enforcement. Psychology can be a rewarding career, offering stability and a strong sense of accomplishment. 1. The rest have a range of college credentials—in communications (9.3 percent), social sciences (9.3 percent), or the liberal arts (7.9 percent), to name the three largest groups. They oversee all elements of the project, including planning, budgeting, and implementation. It is a fascinating indication of the value of liberal arts degrees that many of the arbiters of modern society—presidents, prime ministers, supreme court justices, members of congresses and parliaments across the globe—studied liberal arts before pursuing degrees in law. With a Liberal Arts degree, you can also pursue a career in the legal sector. Students who earn a liberal arts degree learn to formulate effective arguments, to communicate well and solve problems. If you feel passionate about pursuing a degree in liberal arts, you may be worried about how it will benefit your career prospects. What You Can Do With a Degree in Sociology, The 7 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs of 2020, Criminal Justice Major: Courses, Jobs, Salaries, Career Opportunities After Architecture School, STEM Majors: How to Choose the Right Degree, Top 10 Occupations That Employ the Largest Percentage of Women, Biography of Steve Wozniak, Apple Computer Co-Founder, B.S., Political Science, Boise State University. Below are some popular majors and career paths you can consider. According to the most recent salary survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) average starting salaries for liberal arts majors have risen to about $40,000, annually. A successful career with a liberal arts degree requires a strategic answer to the commonly asked question, coupled with an interest in acquiring a few technical skills along the way. The Difference Between Liberal Arts and the Humanities. A few companies who just might want what you have to offer can be found below. Perhaps you can’t love what you do all the time, but you should find something that aligns with your interests. By finding a balance between your personal passions and professional development, you can make the most of your liberal arts degree, even if it takes a few years to figure out how. Not to be confused with psychiatrists, who are medical doctors and can prescribe medication, psychologists often counsel individuals, couples, and families to promote better mental health and wellness. Liberal arts can even be useful in math and science jobs. American Museum of Natural History – founded in 1869 and located in New York, NY; hires positions in anthropology, scientific assistants, development coordinator, etc. If you need help understanding more about your personality, skills, or interests and how … The liberal arts major asks, “Do you want fries with that?” While liberal studies majors have been the punchline of many a joke, the joke isn’t on them at all. They produce work to help human beings better understand their place and time in the world. A liberal studies degree is an interdisciplinary degree that incorporates the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. "I think that we are on the precipice of an exciting time for liberal arts majors. The answer can depend on the specific liberal arts degree you chose, like physics or art history. A student group engineers change in developing communities—and themselves. in a science-related field. This career does require an advanced degree, but a liberal arts degree will get you most of the way there. Editors review, correct, and polish literary works, preparing them for publication. Using mathematical models, economists predict future market trends and demonstrate their analyses through the creation of charts, graphs, and other visual aids. Liberal arts is often referred to humanities, because some of the primary subjects for liberal arts majors include literature, art and music history, languages, and philosophy. Ranstrom said that liberal arts majors will soon be working in jobs that have not even been thought of yet. The minuses of a liberal arts degree: Most liberal arts degree programs are very expensive and getting more expensive all the time. A liberal arts degree can be a jumping-off point for entry into dozens of different career options. If you want to work in public schools, you’ll need to get a teaching certification or license. So, is a liberal arts degree worth it? Economists are employed by local, national, and international companies, governments, and research firms. When it's time to enter the job market, liberal arts majors have a huge array of possibilities available to them, including many in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and business. "With the humanizing abilities of liberal arts graduates, there is going to be a great need and opportunity for liberal arts graduates to shine.". And the concern about limited job prospects for liberal arts graduates is being reflected in completion rates: bachelor’s degrees granted in fields like English and history have dropped by a quarter between 2007-16, even as overall degrees granted grew 31%. Management consultants help businesses and corporations with business growth and workplace environment. Roles open to sociology majors include jobs in social services, criminal justice or public health. Editors also manage the hiring and firing of writers, copywriters, and other members of editorial teams. Follow him on Twitter @daviespete or connect on LinkedIn. It's the same for most Liberal Arts majors - … What can you do with an Associate of Arts degree? Feature. List of Employers and Job Titles Psychologist. Liberal arts can also be a stepping stone towards social sciences, including psychology. Even Oprah Winfrey, one of the most successful people to have ever lived, earned a degree in communications. In this technology and business-driven world, the belief is that success comes with STEM and business degrees, but the reality is that some of the most successful people in the world studied liberal arts. With a communications degree you can learn key skills to work in industries such as journalism, public relations, advertising and more. Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. A U of M researcher wants to make life better for survivors. While everyone is—sometimes, rightfully so— touting the best of what STEM degrees like engineering, science, and mathematics offer to graduates, many forget to mention the benefits of a liberal arts degree program. There may be an element of truth to each of these assessments. Archeologists are often employed by universities and museums, and their digs are often sponsored by grants from research facilities, nonprofit organizations, and government initiatives. Now the associate dean of STEM in Southern New Hampshire University's online game art & development program, Max Callahan shared his thoughts on teaching, the importance of education and more as part of our Faculty Spotlight series. "It's in Apple's DNA that technology alone is not enough—it's technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing and nowhere is that more true than in these post-PC devices." Most sociologists are employed by governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, and independent research firms. You can't really do anything with a Psych degree except for applying to random jobs that require a major in anything. Ranstrom said that in the future we can expect to see many new roles focused on adding the "human touch" to AI. Liberal arts degrees set applicants apart because the skills they have acquired make them innovative and able to solve problems analytically and think on their feet. Although they're well-equipped for many different roles, liberal arts majors may have a less clear-cut road to the perfect job than some graduates. Potential careers for graduates with liberal arts degrees range from sociologist and economist positions to management consultation and law. A history degree can prepare you for law school, as well. The debate over the value of the liberal arts degree has been going on for a long time. Consider this – the job market changes quickly and the skills that are most in demand in the future may very well be the humanities. What Can You Do with a Degree in Chemistry? Associate in Arts (A.A.) An AA degree is usually the broadest, and therefore the least specific, of all the associated arts degrees. Liberal arts degree jobs are more available in a diverse range of fields than ever before. Some popular majors include: As a discipline, these subjects are intended to give you general knowledge and the ability to think critically and learn any subject – as opposed to specific skills needed for a technical profession. First off, let’s clarify a misconception. More than many people realize. Some jobs in the field include: Pursuing a degree in the liberal arts helps you succeed in a fast-paced world that requires individuals to develop creative solutions today to solve the complex challenges of the future. Lindsey Ranstrom, an adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), called the core attributes of a liberal arts education the "4 Cs:". These degrees also lend themselves well to further studies, especially the law. What Can I Do With a Doctoral Degree in Liberal Arts? Liberal arts degrees can provide an education in language, literature, law, philosophy, history and other areas of social sciences and humanities. “10 Highest Paying Liberal Arts Degree Jobs.” College Ranker, 4 Nov. 2015. Plenty—and the U is teaching students how to convince employers. History is important for several academic reasons, but it also carries many practical purposes that can be translated into everyday applications. Their ability to think critically, adapt quickly and solve problems is in demand in STEM and business fields where liberal arts graduates may find their niche in areas such as marketing, sales, strategy or relationship-driven work such as customer relations and account management. "We don't need more STEM majors. Some jobs in the field include: Understanding the past is key to helping organizations interpret significant historical events and prepare for the future. To become a copywriter you can consider earning a degree such as marketing, communications or creative writing and start building a portfolio of your work. Many liberal arts majors also have an interest in giving back and connecting with people, which leads them to careers in politics, public service and other helping professions. They use this research to inform public policy, educational standards, and more. Smart liberal arts students get a good 'trades' elective/course to top off their education. In this field, you gain an understanding of society's historical, economic and political issues and how people can work together to solve problems. Pundits have called the liberal arts useless, some of the best degrees for teaching you how to think, as well as one of the only ways to get a true college education. Although history majors also often work in politics, they also are qualified to work in other roles in business, journalism, law or education. Pete Davies is an assistant vice president of product marketing at SNHU. You can look forward to roles in human resources, market research and social services. Moreover, such a major sharpens awareness of art, history, philosophy, and technology and the impact of these disciplines on contemporary issues. Their skills in reading, research and making complex information digestible can help them get up to speed quickly on technical subjects, even when they may not have a formal technical background. They are employed mostly by governments and government organizations, though some work for private corporations and institutions. A liberal arts degree can be an effective way to show employers you have the skills necessary to be an asset in a huge range of fields. Feature. However, a doctoral degree in liberal arts is less common. With further training, nearly all liberal arts degrees can lead to careers in education, allowing graduates –  with the right qualifications – to share their passion with others.